rejected opportunities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rejected opportunities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to chances or possibilities that were not taken or accepted. Example: "Reflecting on my career, I often think about the rejected opportunities that could have changed my path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Cleon repeatedly rejected opportunities for peace, and it was only in 421, a year after his death in battle, that a truce could be negotiated by his great political rival, the pious and cautious Nicias.

The New Yorker

He was frozen out by the former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers having rejected opportunities to leave Anfield and was training apart from the senior squad when Klopp arrived in October.

The Guardian - Sport

Israelis settled in the West Bank because it was deemed part of the historic home of the Jewish people and because the Arabs and the Palestinians rejected opportunities for peace with Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967.

The New York Times

Mr. Kemp repeatedly advanced his ideas, arguing particularly that Americans were overtaxed and overregulated, but rejected opportunities to personalize the debate, which he said should instead proceed "with civility and respect and decency and integrity".

The New York Times

General Manager Sandy Alderson revealed Thursday that the Mets were so enamored with Wheeler that they rejected opportunities to acquire up to three other minor-league prospects from clubs in exchange for outfielder Carlos Beltran, choosing instead to target Wheeler, a 21-year-old right-hander, in their trade with the San Francisco Giants.

The New York Times - Sports

ZipRecruiter has since consistently produced a profit and rejected opportunities to accept outside funding.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But focusing on this core goal shouldn't mean rejecting opportunities, whether that means finding better ways to provide services for less or exploring the scope for tenants to seek individual and mutual self-help.

The Guardian

One small survey of in-patient staff has reported service providers opposing the notion that patients should have unrestricted access to clinical notes and rejecting opportunities for patients to make written contributions to their files.

British Journal of Psychiatry

In the context of HIV, denial may take the form of not testing in the face of illness and efforts to pass may involve rejecting opportunities for antiretroviral therapy, support groups and safer sexual practices (especially the use of condoms) (21).

Global Health Action

Greg Dyke's consortium later recycles the digital proposition as Freeview, and Granada and Carlton reject opportunity to join it.

The Guardian

As the smoke cleared from the streets of European capitals, it looked as though all sorts of old taboos had been broken, old prejudices rejected, new opportunities recognised and seized.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "missed chances" or "declined offers" for variety in your writing and to better suit the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Don't assume your audience knows what specific opportunities were rejected. Briefly explain the context or nature of the opportunities to provide a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rejected opportunities" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "rejected" acts as an adjective modifying "opportunities". As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly identifies chances or possibilities that were declined or not accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rejected opportunities" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe chances that were not taken, with Ludwig confirming its correct usage in English. It effectively conveys a sense of declined possibilities, often implying a deliberate choice. Analysis of various sources reveals that its register is generally neutral, with notable appearances in news, media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: make sure to specify who rejected the opportunities and why to prevent any misunderstanding. Keep in mind alternative wordings such as "missed chances" or "declined offers" to provide variety and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed chances

Focuses on the idea that opportunities were not taken, often implying a sense of regret or loss.

declined offers

Highlights the act of refusing something presented, emphasizing a conscious decision.

passed up possibilities

Emphasizes the act of letting potential benefits go by without acting on them.

refused prospects

Directly states that potential opportunities were rejected or not accepted.

spurned prospects

Indicates a rejection that might be considered disdainful or scornful.

dismissed options

Indicates that the possibilities were considered but subsequently discarded or ignored.

foregone alternatives

Implies a deliberate choice to not pursue certain options in favor of others.

waived entitlements

Suggests giving up rights or privileges that were available.

relinquished advantages

Focuses on letting go of beneficial positions or circumstances.

sacrificed openings

Highlights the act of giving up opportunities, often for a greater cause or different priority.

FAQs

How can I use "rejected opportunities" in a sentence?

You can use "rejected opportunities" to describe situations where someone declined or passed up potential advantages. For example, "The company's failure was due to "rejected opportunities" for expansion".

What can I say instead of "rejected opportunities"?

You can use alternatives like "missed chances", "declined offers", or "passed up possibilities" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "rejected opportunities" and "missed opportunities"?

"Rejected opportunities" implies a conscious decision to decline something, while "missed opportunities" suggests a failure to recognize or capitalize on something available. The former indicates intent, while the latter indicates oversight.

Is it better to say "declined opportunities" or "rejected opportunities"?

Both are correct, but "rejected opportunities" carries a slightly stronger connotation of refusal, while "declined opportunities" can suggest a more polite or formal refusal. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.